The Young and the Restless - NEWS ROOM

In our 'The Young and the Restless' News Room, Soaps.com keeps you up-to-date with the latest Soap Opera news on the net. We also feature interviews with the soap stars, as well as local appearances by the actors and actresses.

Remembering Y&R's Jeanne Cooper.

Jeanne Cooper's son, Corbin Bernsen, shared some information pertaining to her death on his FB page. He posted:

"Wilma Jeanne Cooper died on May 8 2013 at 9:50 AM. The official cause of death was primarily advanced COPD."

Bernsen expanded on the subject of COPD somewhat, saying, "First and foremost, I really don't want to enter into a long dialogue about COPD. It killed her and that's that. There is one thing and one thing only that you need to know: If you smoke, quit. If you haven't started, don't! It is an ugly end. My mother's passing and the last few weeks of her life, as you might have been able to deduce from my writings during that time was hectic, and not pretty. She was in the end, in peace, without pain and fear, we made sure of that. But it was a battle. Not being able to breath... do the math."

He also spoke of trying to plan a live streaming memorial for fans at some point in the future (Soaps.com will keep readers updated), and said he had made a limited number of copies of his film, "Carpool Guy," available for purchase through Home Theater Films. Bernsen explained, "They are in 'The Store'. I will be enclosing with each copy a signed thank you card for your purchase, as well as a note about a contribution that will be made in your name to one of her favorite charities."

FYI: COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary (PULL-mun-ary) Disease, is a progressive disease that makes breathing difficult. "Progressive" indicates the worsening of the disease over time.

Original article May 9:

Jeanne Cooper was born Wilma Jeanne Cooper in Taft, California on October 25, 1928, of English, Irish and Cherokee Indian descent, something she’s always been extremely proud of, to Albert Troy Cooper and Sildeth Evelyn Moore. Cooper had many memorable storylines over her 40 years on "The Young and the Restless" playing Katherine Chancellor. Her first was a doozy, with a volatile and heartbroken Katherine, also a drinker at the time, driving herself and her ex-husband Phillip off a cliff. Phillip married Jill right before succumbing to his injuries. Jill stealing Katherine's husband set off a rivalry and love-hate relationship between the women that spanned four decades, and brought viewers some of the most entertaining cat-fights and one-liners ever to be showcased on "Y&R."

Throughout her years on "The Young and the Restless," Katherine battled alcoholism, had amnesia - and a doppelganger - came back from the dead, saw her grandson who was believed to be dead return to her life, and found her long lost son. 'The Duchess', as son Brock called her, also ran her own empire, Chancellor Industries, and took many a Genoa City resident under her wing, offering the most sage advice in town. She had long-running business relationships and enduring friendships with many, including John, Nikki, Victor, and of course her companion/maid, Esther.

Perhaps the most memorable, and well-publicized, storyline in her four decades on "Y&R," was 'the facelift'. Jeanne Cooper was undergoing a facelift in real life and it was decided that Katherine would also go under the knife on television. This was very cutting edge stuff for the time! To hear Cooper speak out about this storyline, watch the clip below:

Although Jeanne Cooper was extremely proud of having been a part of pushing the boundaries of television with the face-lift story, in Jeanne Cooper's last interview with Soaps.com, she said it was her own family she was the most proud of; her three children, Corbin, Caren, and Colin, and her many grandchildren. The family released the following statement regarding her passing through Corbin Bernsen's Facebook page:

"A beacon of light guiding us all toward humanity, humility, and equality has been extinguished but a shimmer of it will always remain as reminder from her to us all of a kinder world that is here for us each to embrace feed and make flourish in a way her truest work has just begun for us to honor her vision and make that her legacy. One of the last great Broads in our business – Jeanne Cooper (84 years old) - Mom - is now stirring up trouble in great beyond."

Jeanne Cooper's final scene as Katherine Chancellor has already aired. It was the scene in which Jill watched her go up the stairs to bed, and Katherine turned and said, "Good night." Somehow perfect... There is no word yet as to how "Y&R" will handle the role of Katherine from this point on. Soaps.com will provide an update when that information becomes available.

Jeanne Cooper and her contributions as an icon in the Daytime television industry, as a philanthropist, and as an all-around inspirational woman will never be forgotten by those of us at Soaps.com.

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USER COMMENTS

i willmiss jeanne cooper. i will miss heron the young and the restless. barry

Posted by stylish at
Thursday, May 09 2013 12:21 PM

Jeanne Cooper aka Mrs. Chancellor was a brilliant actress. I always enjoyed her scenes with Nikki and Victor. But the best scenes were with her and Jill. They were both quick on their feet. My mother was a big fan also because she decided to name me Duchess. There will never be anyone who can replace. My condolences to her children and grandchildren.

Posted by Johnny101 at
Thursday, May 09 2013 12:48 PM

I will missing watching Jeanne Cooper's pep talks on Y&R. She always made sure to eaten the hand out. She gave the residents of Genoa City a positive outlook on life, such a wonderful actress! I can't imagine Y&R without her. RIP Katherine Chancellor/Jeanne Cooper

Posted by GaAngel at
Thursday, May 09 2013 01:00 PM

God bless you Mrs. Cooper. You have been in my life since the show began. I guess that about tells my age, but just like you I don't care. God be with your whole family & your friends. You will always have a place in my heart. I know you are watching over Nikki, Victor & the whole gang. I started my Mother watching that show & she is no longer with me. Look her up & I know you two will be great friends. God be with all of you. I will miss you.

Posted by bellydance at
Thursday, May 09 2013 01:07 PM

My Lord, Help her to Rest in Peace.. We will miss her so much...

Posted by longstockins at
Thursday, May 09 2013 02:10 PM

she was a very stand up lady and she will be missed by all. I watched y&r just to see what she was going to do. She was very spunky. But we loved that about her. God bless you Jeanne and rest in peace.

Posted by booper54 at
Thursday, May 09 2013 02:22 PM

I read that you are asking for opinions on replacing Katherine on the show. I do not think it would be wise because that was her part and everybody loved her as Katherine. You should phase her part out and take another road.

Posted by Dowling at
Thursday, May 09 2013 03:19 PM

Jeanne Cooper aka Mrs. Chancellor was the show she is the original Katherine Chancellor I truly believe it would be disrespectful and wrong to replace her on the show i feel for her loyalty to the show and since so many fans are also feeling sadden by her passing The Young and The Restless has already had a fitting last scene for her by having Jill watched her go up the stairs to bed, and Katherine turned and said, "Good night now I think the show should pay a wonderful heart felt contribute to her let us mourn with all of GC her passing like we all did with Cassie passing. Then we can watch how all of her closest friends handle her sudden passing i believe with Nikki having MS now and not having her dearest friend by her side she might spiral out of control with her drinking again Victor might shut down again run away leaving Adam with the company Watch Jill take the lost even worse then Nikki does somehow Ester is another one how will she handle not having Mrs. C with her anymore and then theres her whole family Brock Murphy ect...... they need to come back. GC needs a proper funeral for Jeanne Cooper aka Mrs.Katherine Chancellor she can never be replaced please dont replace her let us honor her memory and mourn her properly along with the show she was a amazing woman and actress one of a kind i would love to watch how everyone handles her passing AGAIN please Y&R have respect for Jeanne Cooper and dont replace her lets give her a fitting farewell memorial that she so truly deserves

Posted by bioboomer at
Thursday, May 09 2013 03:21 PM

Goodbye Duchess. We will miss you. May you rest in peace Ms. Cooper. God Bless you and your family. IMHO, Katherine Chancellor should not be recast. The role has been played.